Reed case



y 1960 M. E. BRUCKMANN 2,937,740

REED CASE Filed Nov. 29, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 INVENTOR. Mall/Ice Z'Tfir'uckmanra May 24, 1960 M. E. BRUCKMANN REED CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 29, 1957 40 FIG].

INVENTOR. MAURICE E. B RUCKMANN REED CASE Maurice E. Bruckmann, 1600 N. Edison Blvd, Burbank, Calif.

Filed Nov. 29, 1957, Ser. No. 699,768

20 Claims. (Cl. 20613) 7 My invention relates to carrying cases. for musicians States Patent woodwind reeds and more particularly to a reed carrying case constructed to retain and protect reeds when not in use.

Heretofore, carrying casesfor woodwind reeds have not been very satisfactory, primarily because they provide little actual protection for reeds, whose thin ends are readily split, crushed and warped, making them useless. Some cases to be found on the market enclose the reed completely, preventing satisfactory drying. Others do not retain the reeds securely, so that when carried about, the reeds become dislodged and damaged.

An object of the present invention is to facilitate carry- 7 ing woodwind reeds by constructing a carrying case of simplified, construction capable of providing complete protection.

Another object of the invention is to protect woodwind reeds when not in use by providing a carrying case constructed to retain reeds securely while yet making them readily accessible. A further object of the invention is to improve wood wind reed carrying cases by constructing a support having return bent ends forming pockets in which reeds may be inserted, and providing covers therefor and means securely clamping the reeds to the support.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a new means for carrying woodwind reeds by constructing a support having a readily removable cover cooperating therewith to retain reeds rigidly against displacement and being sufliciently open to permit the reeds to dry readily. A still further object of the invention is to provide protection for woodwind reeds not being used by constructing cooperating support and cover elements adapted to clamp reeds securely and shield same from possible damage.

For a more complete understanding of my invention,

reference may be had to the accompanying drawing ill'us- I trating a preferred embodiment of the invention in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred carrying case embodying the invention and illustrating the support and removed covers. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the assembled carrying case parts of Fig. 1. g i Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the assembled carrying case. Fig. 4 is another side elevational view of the carrying case illustrating the separable hinge concept of the covers. a

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of a modified construction. Fig. 6 is a perspective View of a further modification for carrying double reeds.

' Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the modification of Fig. 6 with the cover slightly open, and

Fig. 7 "with the cover closed.

The preferred carrying case comprises a support structure 10 and a pair of substantially identical but oppositely positioned covers '11 adapted to be removably secured to the support 10. For convenience, only one of the covers 11 is described in detail. y The support structure 10 is seen to comprise a sub: stantially flat member 12 having oppositely return bent portions 13, each constructed to provide a pocket 14 into which thin end of a reed 15 is inserted. The thin reed end is designated by the reference character 15a'and the halfround base end is designated 15b in the drawing. I

The support structure 10 illustrated in Figs. 14"is adaptedto carry four reeds, the returnbent portions '13 being split longitudinally as at 16 to provide individual ends, each of which isshaped to providev engagement as at 17 in Fig. 3 with thebase end 1511 of the reed 15 It is apparent that provision for individually holding more or less reeds may readily be made. The base end 15b being half-round onrthe uppermost face, it is'seenthat the aforesaid engagement is made at a singlesmall central area. The end edge 18 of thereturn bent port-ion 13 is upturned to facilitate insertion of the reed 'IS and the return bent portion 13 itself is constructed of resilient material and the portion 17 is closely spaced from the fiat member 12 to clamp the reed 15 thereto. 1

The cover 11 comprises a substantially flat portion'ZS having a pair of spaced subtantially C-shaped flanges. 26 at the other end. The flanges 26 and,27 are adapted to grip respective ends of the supportstructure 10. The flanges 26, being C-shaped, act as a separablejhinge on one end of the support structure 10 as indicated in Fig. 4 and the flange 27, being S-shaped, snaps over the other end of the support structure 10, holding the cover -11 Securely in'place. It will be seen that in the embodiment of the invention: illustrated in Figs. 1-4, the single flange 27 of one cover 11 is adapted to be disposed in the space between the pair of flanges 26 of the other cover, providing for a compact assembly as illustrated in Figs..2 and 3. The cover 11 is provided with clamping elements 28 preferably formed integrally with the flat portion 25v as element 28 will resiliently engage with the reed 15, thus further clamping the reed 15 to the support structure fiat member 12. I

The flat portion 25 of the cover 11 also resiliently engages the end edge 18 of the support structure portion 13, thus applying additional clamping pressure on the reed at the area 17. i.

It is seen that. the present carrying case construction provides individual protection for the thin ends 15a: of a plurality of reeds 15, clamping pressure being applied individually on the base portion 1512 only at several small spaced areas to prevent lateral and longitudinal displace ment of the reed 15 relative to the support structure 10. The major part of the clamping pressure is su'ppliedfby the cover l l when clamped on the support structure 10 The cover 11 is readily removed to release most'ofthe clamping pressure so that the reed 15 may then be readily removed from the pocket 14. i Fig. 5 illustrates a modified construction comprising a supportstructure 30 having only one return bent lend portion 31. The cover 11 is substantially 'sitriilarIinboth construction and function, but it will be .se one C-shaped flange26 will be required.

Figs. 6-8 illustrate a further modificationioflf 3 vent-ion used for holding double reeds 35 such as at quired on oboes, English horns, bassoons, and the like, and constructed with a cylindrical base portion 35a and a reed portion 35b. The carrier case preferably comprises a support structure 36 having return bent portions 37 each provided with a plurality of tines or prongs 38 on which the double reeds 35 are placed as shown, so that the reed portion 35a is spaced from the support structure 36. A cover 40, constructed similar to the cover 11 of Figs. 1-5, is provided with clamping elements 41 similar to the clamping elements 28 of Figs. 1-5. Upon clamping the cover 40 to the support structure 36, the clamping elements 41 thrust the double reeds 35 inward and down, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 7, thus clamping the reed against the tine 38 and the support structure 36 substantially as illustrated in Fig. 8. For convenience, only one cover 40 is shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and it will be apparent that either one or two return bent portions 37 may be provided.

I prefer to fabricate the carrying case from any suitable transparent plastic material having the desired resilience while yet being sufliciently strong to prevent bending as breaking under the relatively small stresses applied. Being transparent permits visual inspection of the reeds. Also, it is noted that the carrying case is provided with suflicient openings to permit rapid drying of reeds while yet providing adequate protection from damage while being carried about.

Although I have described only two preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A woodwind reed carrying case, a woodwind reed supported thereby, said case comprising a reed supporting member having a return bent portion constructed to secure a reed to said supporting member and a cover overlying said reed, means securing said cover to said supporting member, said cover having a resilient clamping means operable on securing said cover to said supporting member to engage said reed and clamp same to said supporting member.

2. A woodwind reed carrying case, a woodwind reed supported thereby, said case comprising a reed supporting member having a return bent portion constructed to secure said feed to said supporting member, and a cover overlying said reed, opposite ends of said cover each having a flange, said flanges being constructed and arranged to removably resiliently clamp on opposite ends of said supporting member, and said cover having a resilient clamping means operable on clamping said cover ends of said cover each having a flange, said flanges being constructed and arranged to removably resiliently clamp on opposite ends of said support member, and said cover having a resilient clamping means operable on clamping said cover to said support member to engage said reed and to clamp same to said support member, one of said flanges being substantially C-shaped and operable to partially overlie the return bent portion of said sup port member and to act as a separable hinge while said cover is being clamped on and disengaged from said support, the other flange being substantially S-shaped and operable to be removably snapped in place over the end of said support member opposite said return bent portion.

5. A carrying case for woodwind reeds of the type comprisinga relatively thick base and a relatively thin tip, said case comprising a support member having a return bent portion constructed to secure a reed to said support, and a cover adapted to overlie said reed, opposite ends of said cover each having a flange, said flanges being constructed and arranged to removably resiliently clamp on opposite ends of said support member, and said cover having a resilient clamping means operable on clamping said cover to said support member to engage said reed and to clamp same to said support member, said flanges being operable upon clamping said cover to said support member to resiliently urge said clamping means into engagement with said reed.

6. A carrying case for woodwind reeds of the type comprising a relatively thick base and a relatively thin tip, said case comprising a support member having oppositely return bent portions forming a substantially s-shaped structure, said return bent portions constructed to secure reeds to opposite sides of said support memher, and a cover for each side of said support member to said supporting member to engage said reed and to clamp same to said supporting member.

'3. A carrying case for woodwind reeds of the type comprising a relatively thick base and a relatively thin tip, said case comprising a support member having a return bent portion constructed to secure a reed to said support, and a cover adapted to overlie said reed, opposite ends of said cover each having a flange, said flanges being constructed "and arranged to removably resiliently clamp on opposite ends of said support member, and said cover having a resilient clamping means operable on clamping said cover to said support member to engage said reed and to clamp same to said support member, one of said flanges being substantially C-shaped and operable to partially overlie the return bent portion of said support member and to act as a separable hinge while said cover is being clamped on and disengaged from said support.

4. A carrying case for woodwind reeds of the type comprising a relatively thick base and a relatively thin tip, said case comprising a support member having a return bent portion constructed to secure a reed to said support, and a cover adapted to overlie said reed, opposite and adapted to overlie the reeds secured thereto, means securing each cover to said support member, and each cover having a resilient clamping means operable on se curing said cover to said support member to engage said reed and to clamp same to said support member.

7. A woodwind reed carrying case a woodwind reed supported thereby, said case comprising a reed supporting member having a return bent portion constructed to secure a reed to said support, and a cover overlying said reed, said cover having resilient elements operable to selectively grip said supporting memberand a resilient clamping means operable when said resilient elements grip said supporting member to engage said reed and to clamp same to said supporting member.

8. A woodwind reed carrying case a plurality of woodwind reeds supported thereby, said case comprising a reed supporting member having a return bent portion having a plurality of substantially similar elements each constructed to secure a reed to said supporting member, and a cover overlying said reeds, means securing said cover to said supporting member, and said cover having a clamping means comprising a plurality of resilient elements operable on securing said cover to said supporting mem her to individually respectively engage said reeds and to clamp same individually to said support member.

9. A carrying case for woodwind reeds of the type comprising a relatively thick base and a relatively thin tip, said case comprising a support member having oppositely return bent portions forming a substantially 8- shaped structure, said return bent portions constructed to secure reeds to opposite sides of said support member, and a cover for each side of said support member and adapted to overlie the reeds secured thereto, each cover having a single flange at one end and a pair of laterally spaced flanges at the opposite end, the flanges of each cover being operable to resiliently clamp on opposite ends of said support member, the single flange of one cover being disposed to lie intermediate the pair of spaced flanges of the other cover.

10. A woodwind reed carrying case, a woodwind reed supported'thereby, said case comprising a reed supporting spear-a member having a return bent portion constructed to secure said reed to said supporting member, and a cover overlying said reed, means securing said cover to said supporting member, and said cover having a resilient clamping means operable on securing said cover to said supporting member to engage said reed and clamp same to said supporting member, said supporting member having a substantially flat supporting face, said reed-having a substantially flat side, said supporting member return bent portion and said clamping means cooperating to hold the flat side of said reed flat against said fiat sup porting face 11. A woodwind reed carrying case, a woodwind reed supported thereby and comprising a relatively thick base and a relatively thin tip, said case comprising a supporting member having a return bent portion constructed to secure saidreed to said supporting member, and a'cover overlying said reed, means securing said cover to said supporting member, and said cover having a resilient clamping means operable on securing said cover to said supporting member to engage said reed and clamp same to said supporting member, said supporting member having a substantially flat supporting face, said reed having a substantially flat side, said supporting member return bent portion and said clamping means cooperating to hold the flat side of said reed flat against said fiat supporting face, said return bent portion and said clamping means being constructed and arranged to engage only the relatively thick base of said reed.

12. A woodwind reed carlying case, a woodwind reed supported thereby, said case comprising a reed supporting member having a return bent portion constructed to provide a pocket for receiving a portion of said reed, said return bent portion being operable upon insertion of a reed into said pocket to resiliently clamp said reed to said supporting member, and a cover overlying said reed, means securing said cover to said supporting member, and said cover having a resilient clamping means operable on securing said cover to said supporting member to engage said reed and to further clamp same to said supporting member.

13. A carrying case for woodwind reeds of the type comprising a relatively thick base and a relatively thin tip, said case comprising a support member having a return bent portion constructed to provide a pocket for receiving a portion of said reed, said return bent portion being operable upon insertion of a reed into said pocket to resiliently clamp said reed to said support member, and a cover adapted to overlie said reed, means securing said cover to said support member, and said cover having a resilient clamping means operable on securing said cover to said support member to engage said reed and to further clamp same to said support member, said return bent portion being operable to engage only a single relatively small surface area of said reed, and said clamping means being operable to engage two other relatively small surface areas of said reed, whereby to provide a threepoint clamp on said reed.

14. A carrying case for woodwind reeds of the type comprising a relatively thick base and a relatively thin tip, said case comprising a support member having a return bent portion constructed to provide a pocket for receiving a portion of said reed, said return bent portion being operable upon insertion of a reed into said pocket to resiliently clamp said reed to said support member, and a cover adapted to overlie said reed, means securing said cover to said support member, and said cover having a resilient clamping means operable on securing said cover to said support member to engage said reed and to further clamp same to said support member, the base of said reed having a partially rounded portion opposite the part of the reed contacting said support member, said return bent portion of said support member being operable to engage only a single relatively small substantially centrally located surface area of said rounded reed portion, and said clamping means comprising an element having two laterally spaced portions operable to engage two laterally spaced rela+ tively small surface areas of .said rounded reed portion at a location longitudinally spaced fromtheuaforesaid single surface area, whereby said cover clamping means and said support member return bent portion cooperate to substantially prevent displacement of said reed rela-' tive to said support member. a

15. A woodwind reed carrying case, a woodwind reed supported thereby, said case comprising a reed supporting member having a return bent portion constructed to provide a pocket for receiving a portion of said reed and having an upturned end to facilitate insertion of said reed in said pocket, said return bent portion being operable upon insertion of said reed to resiliently clamp said reed to said supporting member, and a cover overlying said reed, means securing said cover to said supporting member, and said cover operable upon being secured to said supporting member to resiliently engage the upturned end of said return bent portion and to apply pressure thereon to further urge said return bent portion into clamping engagement with said reed.

16. A woodwind reed carrying case, a woodwind reed supported thereby, said case comprising a reed supporting member having a return bent portion constructed to provide a pocket for receiving a portion of said reed,

said return bent portion being operable upon insertion of a reed into said pocket to resiliently clamp said reed to said supporting member, and a cover overlying said reed, means securing said cover to said supporting member, and said cover having a resilent clamping means operable on securing said cover to said supporting member to engage a portion of said reed not inserted in said pocket and to further clamp said reed to said supporting member.

17. A woodwind reed carrying case, a woodwind reed supported thereby and of the type comprising a relatively thick base and a relatively thin tip, said case comprising a reed supporting member having a return bent portion constructed to secure a reed to said supporting member, and a cover overlying said reed, means securing said cover to said supporting member, and said cover having a resilient clamping means operable on securing said cover to said supporting member to engage said reed and to clamp same to said supporting member, the thick base of said reed comprising a tubular element, said supporting member return bent'portion comprising a tine overlying said supporting member and adapted for insertion in said reed base tubular element.

18. A woodwind reed carrying case, a woodwind reed supported thereby and of the type comprising a relatively thick base and a relatively thin tip, said case comprising a reed supporting member having a return bent portion constructed to secure a reed to said supporting member and a cover overlying said reed, means securing said cover to said supporting member, and said cover having a resilient clamping means operable on securing said cover to said supporting member to engage said reed and to clamp same to said supporting member, the thick base of said reed comprising a tubular element, said supporting member return bent portion comprising a tine overlying said supporting member and adapted for insertion in said reed base tubular element, said clamping means being operable to engage the exterior of said reed base tubular element and to clamp same to said tine and to said supporting member.

19. A carrying case for woodwind reeds of the type comprising a relatively thick base and a relatively thin tip and having a relatively flat side, said case comprising a substantially flat support member having a return bent portion overlying approximately one-half of one face of said support member to provide a pocket at one end thereof for receiving and enclosing the thin tip of said reed, the end of said return bent portion being operable to resiliently engage only a portion of the thick base of said reed and to clamp said reed to said support member with the flat side of said reed against the aforesaid face of said support member, and a substantially flat cover adapted to overlie said pocket and the portion of said reed not enclosed thereby, said cover having down-turned flanges at opposite ends, said flanges being operable to resiliently grip opposite ends of said support member to secure said cover thereto, and said cover having an integral downturned tongue operable on securing said cover to said support member to resiliently engage only a second portion of the thick base of said reed and to further clamp said reed to said support member.

20. A carrying case for woodwind reeds of the type comprising a relatively thick tubular base and a relatively thin tip, said case comprising a substantially flat support member having a return bent portion comprising a tine overlying'one face of said support member and adapted for insertion into the tubular end of said reed to hold said reed against the aforesaid face of said support member, and a'substantially fiat cover adapted to overlie said reed, said cover ha ing downturned flanges at opposite ends, said flanges being operable to resiliently grip opposite ends of said support member to secure said cover thereto, and said cover having an integral downturned tongue operable on securing said cover to said support member to resiliently engage only an exterior portion of said reed tubular base and to clamp said reed to said time and to said support member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,706,063 Higgins Mar. 19, 1929 1,997,820 Govoni Apr. 16, 1935 2,285,836 Rettenmeyer June 9, 1942 2,545,599 Bartlett Mar. 20, 1951 2,589,821 Korshak Mar. 18, 1952 2,830,602 Levi Apr. 15, 1958 

